I received my arts and crafts authorization in 1976, I think. I was 20 years old. The term for doing crafts in Texas prison was “piddling”. So, I received a Piddling Card which authorized me to do Piddling (arts and crafts). A little prison slang lesson.
First, I learned to make jewelry boxes covered in exotic wood veneer with inlaid designs: florals, names, etc… They come out really lovely, but it wasn’t what I wanted to pursue. It was a good skill, though, and I’m glad to have learned it.
Next, I began doing leather work; putting together leather items, sewing and lacing them in exchange for being taught to carve and tool the leather. Became good at it and, eventually, was assigned as the leather worker for the unit. Did that for several years.
Then, because I changed units, I began to be a helper to a fellow who repaired radios, TVs, and VCRs. That was never to be as my color perception issue meant I was unable to correctly determine the coding…I was fairly dangerous : D
I, also, began to learn about making gold and silver jewelry using the lost wax casting method. Never became truly proficient at it, but have the rudiments down. I messed around with this for several years because I had friends who did this as their craft.
Started learning fine art in the early mid 90s: painting with acrylics, graphite portraiture, and airbrushing. Truly enjoyed the first two, but never really go into airbrushing as my main medium… too, tedious for me. Won a contest. Had shown at several gallery showings. Finally, had one man art shows two years in a row in Houston that sold out in 48 hours and 24 hours respectively. I’ve sold artwork across the world and was still in demand when forced to quit.
Sometime in the early oughts, 2000 or 2001, I began doing polymer clay costume jewelry. It was so much fun, like playing with Play Doh when I was a kid. I really started doing it because it allowed me to make things that were affordable that I could give away…fun stuff people could wear: holiday jewelry, beaded items(handmade beads), etc… In time, people began to request things and I expanded the time I spent with polymer clay. Passed a lot of time.
There you have it. A brief rundown of my arts and crafts exploits over 40 years.
